What is Zyvox?

Zyvox and the generic alternative Linezolid, are antibiotic s used to treat certain serious bacterial infections. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Using any antibiotic when it is not needed can cause it to not work for future infections. Linezolid also belongs to a class of drugs known as MAO inhibitors. It can increase the levels of certain natural substances in the body (such as dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin) which can increase the chance of certain side effects and food and drug interactions. See How to Use, Side Effects, and Drug Interactions sections for more details.

 

Always read the patient information and instructions carefully before using Zyvox.

  • Take Zyvox by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually every 12 hours. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. For children, the dosage is also based on age and weight, and they may be directed to take Zyvox every 8 hours.
  • To prevent a very serious high blood pressure reaction, it is very important that you follow a special diet recommended by your doctor or dietician to limit your intake of tyramine while you are taking this medicine. Avoid foods and beverages that are high in tyramine, including aged cheeses, dried/aged meats and sausages (such as salami, liverwurst), preserved fish (such as pickled herring), products that contain large amounts of yeast (such as bouillon cubes, powdered soup/gravy, homemade or sourdough bread), fermented foods (such as sauerkraut, kim chee), most soybean products (such as soy sauce, tofu), broad/fava beans, red wine, sherry, tap beers, and vermouth. Consult your doctor or dietician for more details and a complete list of other foods that contain tyramine which you should limit or avoid.
  • For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take Zyvox at the same time(s) every day.
  • Continue to take Zyvox until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Cautions

Make sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist:

  • If you have any drug allergies.
  • Which other prescription and non-prescription medications you currently take.
  • Your medical history, especially of: high blood pressure, blood/bone marrow problems (such as low red/white blood cells and platelets), certain tumor conditions (such as pheochromocytoma, carcinoid syndrome), overactive thyroid, seizures.

Also be aware that:

  • This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
  • If you have diabetes, linezolid may lower your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of low blood sugar such as sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
  • Linezolid may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work as well. Do not have any immunizations/vaccinations while using Zyvox unless your doctor tells you to.
  • Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
  • During pregnancy, Zyvox should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
  • It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

 

Side Effects

Common side-effects may include but are not limited to:

  • Diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness may occur.

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following side-effects:

  • Deep/fast breathing, unusual drowsiness, nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet, unusual tiredness, easy bruising/bleeding.
  • Muscle stiffness, increased sweating, vision changes (such as blurred vision, change in color vision, loss of vision), mental/mood changes (such as agitation, confusion), seizure.
  • Zyvox may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a type of resistant bacteria. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: diarrhea that doesn't stop, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool.
  • Do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid medications if you have any of these symptoms because these products may make them worse.
  • Use of Zyvox for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.
  • Zyvox may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take. Get medical help right away if you develop some of the following symptoms: fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, unexplained fever, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unusual agitation/restlessness.
  • This drug may rarely cause an attack of extremely high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis), which may be fatal. Many drug and food interactions can increase this risk (see How to Use and Drug Interactions sections). Get medical help right away if any of these serious side effects occur: severe headache, fast/slow/irregular/pounding heartbeat, chest pain, neck stiffness/soreness, severe nausea/vomiting, sweating/clammy skin (sometimes with fever), widened pupils, vision changes (such as double/blurred vision), sudden sensitivity to light (photophobia).
  • Any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

FAQs

Q: What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Q: What should I avoid while using Zyvox?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Eating tyramine while you are using linezolid can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels. Avoid foods that have a high level of tyramine, such as: aged cheeses or meats; pickled or fermented meats, smoked or air-dried meats; sauerkraut; soy sauce; tap beer (alcoholic and nonalcoholic); red wine; or any meat, cheese, or other protein-based food that has been improperly stored. You should be very familiar with the list of foods you must avoid while you are using Zyvox.